News staff

Tourism and trade ties were the focus of discussions when Premier Michael Dunkley met the Chinese Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Liu Xiaoming, on the second day of his three-day visit to the island.

According to a Government statement, Mr Liu updated Mr Dunkley on some of the areas where he believed Bermuda and China could further strengthen their relationship, one of which was in regard to the millions of Chinese tourists that leave their homeland each year to travel overseas on vacation.

“While the Ambassador acknowledged that many Chinese people are aware of Bermuda — and, in particular, the Bermuda Triangle — many of them were not familiar with exactly where we are located or what sightseeing options exist here,” said Mr Dunkley.

“We discussed tourism in depth, as well as opportunities with regard to international business, reinsurance and investment potential.”

That meeting was followed by a round table breakfast hosted by the Premier and Grant Gibbons, the Minister of Economic Development, with leaders of Bermuda’s international business sector, the Chamber of Commerce and Government attending.

“The Premier facilitated discussions regarding the services that Bermuda companies can provide to Chinese businesses and family organisations, including investment in international insurance companies, asset management, and trusts,” added the statement. “The Ambassador was very keen to strengthen those relationships and showed great interest in working with Bermuda companies and those operating from Bermuda in terms of introducing those companies to Chinese companies.”

Mr Liu has now invited the Premier to visit China and said that an immediate possible opportunity could be Bermuda’s participation in the upcoming Chinese International Tourism Expo.

On a lighter note, the Premier took the opportunity to present the Ambassador with a pair of traditional Bermuda shorts and socks as well as a bottle of Black Seal Rum and a book highlighting outstanding photos of Bermuda.

Mr Liu, who returns tomorrow, is accompanied by his wife Mrs Hu Pinqhua, Consular Official Guo Chentao, and Second Secretary, Political Section, Pan Feiya.

The visit marks the first time a Chinese Ambassador to the United Kingdom has been to Bermuda.